Retractable object lift

ABSTRACT

A retractable lifting device for use by a hunter or nature photographer on an elevated observation platform. The device compresses a reel, spring loaded to wrap up a lifting rope or cord of about 30 feet in length. A clip attaches to an object to be lifted. The reel is spring loaded so that the reel winds up when an object is not fastened to the lifting cord. An operator can then leave an object on the ground while the operator ascends to the observation platform. The lifting cord remains conveniently taut until the operator pulls the lifting cord to elevate the object.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/459,125 filed Mar. 31, 2003, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to devices for facilitating thelifting of objects in situ.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The activities of nature photography and hunting have evolved tothe point where it is believed to be advantageous to take a position ina tree in the forest to be above the ground and thus obtain a betterview of the surroundings. Ascending to this elevated position can takenumerous forms, most of which require the use of both hands for scalinga tree to an observation platform. It is desirable to leave theequipment to be used in the observation platform on the ground until theindividual is firmly established in the observation platform. In thepast, this has been done using a line which is releasably connected tothe device to be lifted whether it be a camera, bow or a rifle. As theindividual climbs a tree, line is played out and when in position theoperator pulls the object up in hand-over-hand fashion.

[0004] The problem with such an arrangement is that the slack in theline can cause it to easily become entangled in tree branches. Thisresults in inconvenience and, in an extreme case, a safety hazard.

[0005] A number of attempts have been made to mechanize this process andmany of these approaches utilize complex mechanisms to elevate theobject by means of crank arms, etc. Devices such as these haveadditional cost, complexity and sensitivity to dirt or otherenvironmental factors which can cause unreliable operation.

[0006] There exists in the art the need for further improvements indevices that enable an individual to elevate objects to a observationplatform in the forest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a retractable object liftingdevice for use by an operator wherein the object lifting devicecomprises a housing having an interior chamber and an opening to theexterior. A reel is journaled within the chamber and has an elongated,flexible lifting member wrapped around the reel and extending to theexterior through the opening. The lifting member has a lengthsubstantially beyond the reach of the operator. The free end of theflexible elongated member has a device for releasably engaging objectsand a spring is provided to yieldably bias the reel to a position wherethe flexible member is wound on the reel when an object is not connectedto said flexible elongated member whereby when the operator ascends toan elevated position above the ground, the object to be lifted rests onthe ground until the operator lifts the object by pulling up theflexible member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of an object lifting device embodying thepresent invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken onthe irregular lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0011]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 3, but taken froman opposite side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENT

[0012] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated herein and specific language will be used to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and furthermodifications in the described processes, systems or devices, and anyfurther applications of the principles of the invention as describedherein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in theart to which the invention relates.

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an object liftingdevice 10 comprising first and second housings 12 and 14 combining toform an interior chamber 16 in which a reel 18 is journaled on a spindle20. Spindle 20 extends from the interior of housing 12 and is receivedin a circular recess 22 on housing 14 when the housing halves are placedtogether. Reel 18 has a hub 24 in which a coil spring 26 is positioned.A flexible rope or cord 28 is wrapped around reel 18 and extends to theexterior of the housings 12 and 14 through opening 30 and a rubberstopper 29. The free end of cord 28 is substantially beyond the reach ofan operator and contains a clip 32 for releasably engaging an object. Athirty foot length for cord 28 may be employed as an example. It shouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art that other lengths may also beemployed.

[0014] The inner end of coil spring 26 has a tab 34 received in a slot36 in spindle 20. The outer end of coil spring 26 is fixed in anappropriate fashion to hub 24 at 38. Coil spring 26 is set up so that ityieldingly urges reel 18 a direction to wind cord 28 onto the reel 18.Reel 18 has a plurality of recesses 40 spaced around its periphery, onlyfour of which are shown. Recesses 40 cooperate with a thumb-actuatedbrake 42 having an inner end 44 displaceable into and out of engagementwith the recesses 40. A spring 46 shown in phantom in FIG. 1 urgesthumb-actuated brake 42 to a position of disengagement. It should beapparent to those skilled in the art that mechanisms may also beemployed to cause the thumb-actuated brake 42 to be maintained in anengaged position.

[0015] A handle 43 provides an operator gripping function and defines anopening sufficiently large to accommodate the gloved hand of anoperator. Brake 42 is positioned relative to handle 43 to enableone-handed operation of brake 42 by depressing it with the thumb of ahand that grips handle 43.

[0016] A pair of through screws 48 and nuts 50 fasten the housing halves12 and 14 together and also provide a means for fastening a mountingstrap 52 that enables the object lifting device to be secured to anoperator's person or to a stand or operator platform mounted above theground in a tree.

[0017] The coil spring 26 is selected to have a predetermined stiffnessso that in the absence of an object being connected to clip 32, causesthe cord to 28 to be wrapped around reel 18 into a retracted position.When an operator desires to use the object lifting device 10, theoperator fastens it either to some part of the operator's body or to anarticle of clothing or a belt.

[0018] In operation, the clip 32 is connected in an appropriate fashionto the object desired to be lifted. In one instance the object liftedwould be a bow and quiver of arrows and the cord 28 looped around thebow. As the operator ascends a tree to the elevated observationplatform, the weight of the object such as the bow overcomes the springforce and the cord 28 is unreeled as the operator climbs to theobservation platform. Once the operator is in position on the platform,the operator then grasps the cord 28 and pulls the object up to theoperator's position hand over hand. As this is taking place, the coilspring 26 then begins wrapping the cord 28 onto the reel 18. The objectis disconnected from the clip 32 and used for its intended purpose. Whenthe operator desires to descend from the tree, the clip 32 is used toengage the object and the object is let down to the ground while itovercomes the force of the coil spring 26. If it is desired to stop thedescent, the thumb actuated brake 42 is depressed to cause the recesses40 to be engaged, thus preventing further rotation of the reel 18. Whenthe object is resting on the ground, the operator descends from the treeand while descending, the coil spring 26 takes up any slack in the cordas the tree length diminishes upon descent from the tree. When theoperator reaches the ground, the clip 32 is disconnected from theobject. In contrast with prior art devices implementing the liftingprocess, the present invention simply makes for tidy disposition of thecord 28 while the object is being lowered or raised from the ground.This greatly increases operator safety and provides additionalprotection and control while the object is being lifted or lowered fromthe elevated perch.

[0019] The above describes the initial ascent to the elevatedobservation platform. Under certain circumstances, the operator may wishto keep the observation platform in place up in the tree and come backto it as needed. In this case, the object lifting device 10 is fastenedto the observation platform by strap 52 and kept in place. When anoperator completes a session, the object is lowered to the ground usingthe device 10 and the operator then descends the tree. The operatorretrieves the object and then fastens the clip 32 and cord 28 to a lowertree branch or trunk. The cord 28 is then ready to go for the nextsession.

[0020]FIGS. 3 and 4 show an alternate form of the invention. The objectlifting device comprises first and second opposed molded housings 54 and56 joined to form an interior chamber 58. Housing 54 has a perimeterflange 58 received in a corresponding perimeter grove 60 on housing 56to stabilize the joint between the two housings 54 and 56 and toeffectively seal the interior chamber 58. Housings 54 and 56 aregenerally cylindrical in shape except for radial protrusions 62, 64 and66 on housing 54 and protrusions 68, 70 and 72 on housing 56.Protrusions 62 and 68 each have a through-bore 74 and 76 receiving ascrew 78 and nut 80 for fastening housings 54 and 56 together.Protrusion 66 has an opening 82 co-axial with a hole 84 in post 86 thatis integral with housing 56 in protrusion 72. As shown particularly inFIG. 4, a screw 88 extends through opening 82 and is threaded intoopening 84 on post 86. Similarly, protrusion 64 on housing 54 has anopening 90 in line with an opening 92 on a post 94 integral with housing56. A screw 96 extends through opening 90 and is threaded into opening92 of post 94.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, housing halves 54 and 56 each havesemi-circular openings 98 and 100 respectively, which form a circularopening to the exterior of the device. An insert 102 has a square shapedflange 104 and an integral cylinder 106. Flange 104 is received ingrooves 108 and 110 to hold element 102 in place when the halves 54 and56 are secured together. Insert 102 has a circular opening 112 shown inFIG. 3 and an elongated opening 114 shown in FIG. 4 for purposes to bedescribed later. Radial protrusions 62 and 68 each have slots 116 and118 respectively to receive a mounting strap 166. A further means formounting the unit is found in a clip 120 comprising a C-shaped flexiblemetal plate 122 fastened to housing 54 by means of a screw 124. Clip 120is oriented by integral projections 123 on housing 54 to be placed asshown in FIG. 4 or at right angles to its position. As will be describedin detail later, the open end of the C-shaped clip 120 faces away fromthe slots 116 and 118 and towards the opening 112 to the exteriorprovided by insert 102.

[0022] As shown particularly in FIG. 3, housing 54 has an integralspindle 126 extending towards housing 56 and having a free end 128received in a circular receptacle 130 for stabilizing the spindle 126.Spindle 126 has an axially extending slot 132 for receiving a spring tobe described below. A reel and spring assembly 134 is journaled onspindle 126 within interior chamber 58. Reel and spring assembly 134comprises a first end flange 136 having a central bore 138 adapted to bereceived over spindle 126. End flange 136 has a plurality of projections140 positioned around its periphery. As explained in connection with theobject lifting device of FIG. 1, projections 140 may be used to achievea braking effect like that realized with recesses 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2.End flange 136 has an integral sleeve 142, coaxial with opening 138 andforming a hub. A second end flange 144 is coaxial with, and opposesaxial, end face 136. End face 144 has a plurality of slots 146 thatreceive flexible tabs 148 on hub 142 to provide a releasably connectablereel assembly. Hub 142 has an axially extending recess 150 whichreceives a radial protrusion 152 on a cup-like element 154 receiving acoil spring 156. The coil spring 156 is fastened to cup-like member 154on its radially outermost point and has a tab 158 received in slot 132of spindle 126. Coil spring 156 is tensioned and set up so that it urgesreel assembly 134 in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 3. A rope orcord 160 substantially longer than the reach of an operator is wrappedaround hub 142 and extends through opening 112 in insert 102 to a clip162 designed to releasably connect with an object to be lifted. A thirtyfoot length for cord 28 may be employed as an example. It should beapparent to those skilled in the art that other lengths may also beemployed. Alternatively, a strap 165 of the same length extendingthrough the slot 114 shown in FIG. 4 may be employed for objects ofhigher weight.

[0023] In operation, the object lifting device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 isput in place in a number of ways. The first involves clipping the unitto an operator's belt 164 or a mounting strap, a portion of which isshown in FIG. 3, by placing clip 120 over it. It should be noted that inthis position the opening element 102 is facing downward so that thecord 160 is conveniently played out as described below. If belt or strap164 is vertical, clip 120 is oriented to be at a right angle relative toFIGS. 3 and 4. It should be noted that if the device is to be morepermanently mounted, screw 124 may be screwed through belt or strap 164.An alternative mounting for the device may be achieved by appropriatestrap 166, a portion of which is shown, which extends through slots 116and 118. Strap 166 may be affixed to a branch on a tree or to anobservation platform 170. In either case, strap 166 may be affixed sothat the opening element 102 is facing downward.

[0024] With either mounting arrangement, an operator affixes the freeend of the cord 160 to the object to be lifted to the observationplatform 170. In the case of a camera, the clip 162 may be fastenedthrough a loop 168, a portion of which is shown. Many other devices maybe lifted using this device such as a hunter's bow or rifle. As theoperator is climbing to the observation platform, the cord 160 plays outfrom the reel because the spring tension is selected so that it onlywraps cord 160 on the reel in the absence of the weight of an object.Thus, the object remains on the ground while the hunter ascends to theelevated position. Once in position, the operator is able to pull theobject up by a hand-over-hand or other appropriate motion to bring theobject to the observation platform. As the operator is performing thistask, the spring 156 causes the reel to bring up the slack on the cord160 so that there is no loose cord that can be snagged in branches of atree or other objects. Once the object is on a level with the operator,the clip 162 is removed from the object and the object used inappropriate fashion. When the operator is finished with the tasks, theclip 162 is fastened to the object as by fastening on loop 168 and theobject lowered to the ground. It should be noted that because of thespring tension, the cord 160 is constantly played out for the object toreach the ground without unnecessary loops of cord in the environment.If the observation platform 170 is a semi-permanent arrangement, thatis, one fastened for a time around the trunk of a tree at an elevatedposition, it is advantageous to connect the object lifting device to theelevated stand by means of the strap 166. Once the object has beenplaced on the ground, the operator then descends to the ground from theobservation platform. It should be noted that during this process, thecord 160 is taut enough between the object and the object lifting deviceso as to minimize the possibility of entanglement. Once an operator hasdescended the tree to the ground, the operator removes the clip 162 fromthe object and can then advantageously either loop it about the tree orother object so as to maintain the cord in a ready position for futureuse. Because of the spring urging the reel into a wound position, thecord 160 remains relatively taut so that it is not flapping about whenthe position is unattended. This has additional advantage in that itminimizes extra sound, which can frighten wildlife away from the site.

[0025] Thus it is seen that this device effectively allows an operatorto scale to an elevated position without endangering expensive equipmentused in the elevated position. Once in place at the elevated position,the operator can easily pull up the device in a very simplified fashion,all the while bringing in the slack on the cord so as to minimizetangling and other instances that can create a safety problem.

[0026] With the insert 102, the slot 114 may be used to accommodatestrap 165 to lift even heavier objects. The cord 160 may be used forobjects up to around 15 pounds and the strap 165 may be used for heavierobjects. Because the device in FIGS. 3 and 4 has an absence ofconvoluted exterior shapes, it may easily be manipulated with a glovedhand to facilitate use in colder climates.

[0027] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detailin the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understoodthat only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

What is claimed:
 1. A retractable object lifting device for use by anoperator, said device comprising a housing having an interior chamberwith an opening to the exterior of said housing, a reel journaled withinsaid housing, an elongated, flexible lifting member wound around saidreel and extending through said opening, said lifting member having alength substantially longer than the reach of an operator, a device onthe end of said flexible member for releasably connecting to an object,and a spring yieldably rotating said reel to wind said flexible memberaround said reel, said spring having a predetermined stiffness such thatit winds said flexible member onto said reel when an object is notconnected to the end of said flexible member whereby when the operatorascends to a position elevated from the ground, said object rests on theground and the flexible member is unreeled while maintaining saidflexible member relatively taut until the operator lifts the object tothe elevated position by pulling up said flexible member.
 2. Apparatusas claimed in claim 1 wherein said object lifting device furthercomprises a brake for selectively preventing unreeling of said flexiblemember
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said brake comprisesan operator manipulated element selectively inter-engageable with one ofa plurality of circumferential recesses on said reel for preventingrotation when engaged.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidoperator manipulated element comprises a plunger extending from saidhousing for operation by an operator and engageable and disengageablewith the recesses on said reel to selectively engage and disengage saidbrake.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said housing has ahandle and an opening adjacent said handle of sufficient size toaccommodate the gloved hand of an operator.
 6. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 5 wherein said plunger for said hand brake is adjacent said handlefor single-handed holding of said object lifting device and selectiveaccuation of said brake.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 furthercomprising a spring for urging said plunger to a disengaged position 8.Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing is formed from twohalves.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said housinghalves has opposed openings and said object lifting device furthercomprises an insert forming said opening to the exterior of said housingand received in and held by said opposed openings.
 10. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 9 wherein said insert is be provided one of a circularopening for a rope or circular cross-section flexible member and a slotfor accommodating a strap-like flexible member.
 11. Apparatus as claimedin claim 8 further comprising an elevated platform for use by anoperator and a device connected to one of said housings for attachmentto said elevated platform.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 whereinsaid reel comprises first and second halves, one of which has a hub andflange and the other having a flange, said halves being snapped togetherto form a hub and flanges for said flexible elongated member. 13.Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said hub has a central spaceand said spring is positioned within said hub.
 14. Apparatus as claimedin claim 13 wherein said housing has a central fixed spindle with aslot, said spring comprising a coil leaf spring having one end receivedin the slot in said spindle and the other end connected to the interiorwall of said hub.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidhousing has a generally cylindrical shape when viewed in a directionparallel to the axis of rotation of said reel, said housing having threeprojections extending from said cylindrical/shape for allowing fasteningof said housing halves, one of said projections having a through-slotfor receiving a mounting strap for said object lifting device. 16.Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said opening to the exterior ofsaid housing is adjacent the projection for one of the other of saidprojections so that said opening faces downward when said object liftingdevice is mounted by means of said strap receiving slots.
 17. Apparatusas claimed in claim 16 further comprising a clip positioned on one ofsaid housing halves for providing mounting of said object lifting deviceon an operator's clothing so that said opening to the exterior is in adownwardly facing direction.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17wherein said clip is positioned on said housing half in one of aplurality of orientations, each ninety degrees from one another.